January 1--Redux

[zyzyly]

Ten years ago in an empty room.

Ten years ago, just before midnight on December 31, I sat alone in my living room wondering what I was going to do with my life. It was a little more than a year after my first wife had died, and I was completely lost.

I put on an album, Aerial, by Kate Bush. As I listened, I realized I could do anything I wanted to. It was an epiphany. I took a pen and a piece of paper and started writing down the things I might want to do. Go to grad school, travel to a foreign country, take a photography class, consider taking the part-time teaching job I was recently offered. Take a picture every day for a year.

I didn't do it all in 2006, but I did do it all. I love that I have the entire year documented. Not only pictures, but words as well, and memories. It was such a transitional year for me--the year I started to build the life I have now.


The room is much the same, although no longer empty. I have a wife, and a couple of cats, and a big Hello Kitty. I traveled to a foreign country, got a graduate degree, took a bunch of photography classes, took that part-time teaching job, and took a picture every day for a year.

That's what I'm thinking about in the new year.

Happy New Year to all of you!

Comments

[gracegiver]

The contrast between cool and warm is breathtaking. Almost seems like you tried to warm the room with candles.

Happy New Year dear friend.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

When I wrote this, I wasn't even thinking about how the room looks warmer, with the different colors, but once you mentioned it, it was immediately apparent to me.

Happy New Year to you too! Hope it brings wonderful things!

[manintheboat.livejournal.com]

That room looks much nicer now :)

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

It does, and will look even nice when we get new floors in at the end of the month.

[egg-shell.livejournal.com]

Amazing how you can see the vibes of the room in the two photos. So warm and lively now. Happy New Year to you too!

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

I know--it really feels different now.

[elainetyger.livejournal.com]

That picture every day for a year can be a game changer.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

It really can, for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it teaches you to pay attention to what is around you.

I took less pictures this past year than I have since I first picked up a digital camera 12 years ago. I would like to change that this year.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

Time for the 2016 list. If you can chart out that well when lost, you can really do it now that you're found.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

It's interesting that until you mentioned it, I had not even thought about making a list for this year. I am out on the coast for a few days, and it is supposed to rain every day, so I will have plenty of time to think about it. Happy New Year!

[mallorys-camera.livejournal.com]

Pretty impressive. I'm happy for you.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

I am grateful that the past few years have been routine and uneventful. Sometimes it's not a bad thing.

[pasticcio.livejournal.com]

Happy New Year!

I just finished another picture a day year..

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

It seems like you have done that almost every year (if not every year). I can remember when you first started doing it. I read back through your past year a bit the other night. I hope this year is less eventful and more routine for you.

[pasticcio.livejournal.com]

You inspired me to start taking a picture a day :)
I started in 2008.
I think I'll go another year .. it helps to distract me sometimes.

I hope you're right about the year being less eventful and more routine .. somehow I don't think that will be the case, but having you in my corner will be nice.

WOW!

[disgruntledgrrl.livejournal.com]

What a nice update! The photos really drive it home. Also inspires me to reconsider my "It's too hard to paint the room" excuse when I really want to.

Re: WOW!

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

My neighbor knows a guy who paints schools during the day and paints for people in his spare time, for not much dough. That's pretty much why it wasn't too hard to paint the room, lol.

[thoughtsbykat.livejournal.com]

Nice to see you posting. Your room is warmer and not empty. I hope that you are happy. You fulfilled the list you made all those years ago. Happy New Year and may the two of you be blessed with continued happiness.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

Thank you, and Happy New Year to you too!

[daisydumont.livejournal.com]

How wonderful that you have had so much joy and accomplishment since then! All the best to you, Malida, and Mook in this new year.

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

It has been so nice to settle back into an uneventful life and have some uneventful years. I know life rarely lets this happen for too long, but I am appreciating it while I can. Happy New Year to you too!

the new year

[crookedfingers.livejournal.com]

nice photos of home life-Happy New Year! miss your photos-entries-hope all is well-peace Jonny

Re: the new year

[zyzyly.livejournal.com]

Happy New Year to you too! All is well, and your occasional nudge reminds me that this place is still here--thank you!